This is great. Candidate who wants to meet us and hear the issues. I wonder if the republicans will try to do this as well.

@ Jim. Yes, the Republican's do meet with the people. It's in the back room of the old Ryan's market and it's by invitation only.

Meet Richard Welch, Democratic candidate for District 32 in the House of Representatives. By Samantha Turner October 26, 2010
Question asked: I'm a single mother with two jobs. Why should I vote for you? I care that you have to work two jobs to try to make ends meet. Any changes in the cost of living need to take you into account Pushing people onto the public assistance roles is not what I would be trying to do but rather training you to be able to hold down one good paying job with benefits so that you could spend more quality time with your family. http://northkingstown.patch.com/articles/meet-the-candidates-richard-welch-house-of-representatives-district-32#comments_listt
To: Mr. Welch, your decision to fire 26 long-time custodians (many with over 10 years of service to NKSD) and make drastic cuts to the NKESP, even after they offered major concessions, has made many of them eligible for public assistance (also taxpayer’s money). You did this during one of the worst recession this country has ever seen. Not to mention the dissension that your self-serving decision to break the ESP has cause amongst your lowest paid employees. Let not forget the legal suits that have been generated (one suit is personally against you). More taxpayers $$$$$! You seem to favor confrontation over compromise. NOT A SIGN OF A GOOD LEADER!

I support the decision to outsource the janitors, though it was years too late. Funny, however, that the first meeting is in a fire station. Does this mean that Mr. Welch supports our entitled firefighters? That he supports the town spending millions of dollars more for fire service than we need to? And, if so, why support one union and not another? Could it be funding for his campaign? Is he bought and paid for?

@NKVoter good question. I believe the FF battle has been botched by the town, costing us millions in legal fees. In fact I posted that question on the "ask the candidates" piece. How much has the FF fight cost us and what lawyer or lawyers got that money, and what is their connection to those on our town council who decided to attack, rather than negotiate. That said, I am sure (or hope!) that our firefighters know we have to do the belt tightening and everyone has to be a part of that. I just dont like the way the current town council did it though. :(

@NK Voter: You should get out more and explore your town. If you did, you would know that the North Quidnessett Fire Station is more of a community gathering/meeting place than a Fire Station. It is a deactivated volunteer fire station with no affiliation to the "entitled" NKFD.

@ NK Voter.... Please pull it together if you are going to apply NK to your screen name. Anyone who is NK knows that fire house on N. Quid Rd. is a private meeting place with no affiliation to the NKFD. Spread your hate somewhere else!

Read it again, know it all. Said it was funny that he would chose to hold his first meet in a fire station...ok...former fire station..and perhaps future dog park? My point stands...Welch is a democrat and democrats, in general, are beholden to the unions breaking the back of cities all over this country. You want higher taxes? Vote for this man and his fellow democrats.

I believe Mr Welch is in fact a fiscal conservative. Did he not just privatize all janitorial work at the entire school system?